Five workers die from gas cylinder leak at Chittagong shipbreaking yard
Photo Collected
Five workers died and three others were left ill after inhaling toxic gas from a cylinder at a shipbreaking yard in the Bhatiari area of Sitakunda, Chittagong, on Friday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. at Ferdous Steel, a shipbreaking facility located in the Station Road area of Bhatiari Union. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of four of the victims: Sani Jaldas, 22, Palash Jaldas, 27, and brothers Mansur Ali, 40, and Nasir Uddin, 38. All four resided in the Bhatiari area.
Nurul Alam, in-charge of the Chittagong Medical College Hospital police outpost, confirmed the fatalities, stating that six individuals were transported to the hospital from the site, where physicians declared five dead upon arrival.
Local residents and fishermen reported a potent smell of gas emanating from the facility, which was strong enough to disrupt maritime activity in the vicinity. Fishermen returning from the sea to catch hilsa were forced to dock their boats at least half a kilometer away from the site to avoid the toxic fumes.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as workers began shouting from inside the yard. After reports surfaced that several individuals had perished inside the ship, an agitated crowd entered the premises and staged a protest, leading to property damage. Police were subsequently deployed to the scene to restore order.
Mohiuddin, the owner of the facility, stated via telephone that he was away from the site when the incident occurred. He claimed to have received reports that six to eight workers were exposed to toxic gas due to negligence, confirming that several had died and three remained injured. He stated he would provide further details upon arriving at the facility.
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